Places traveled through

Places traveled through

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Thoughts and feelings

Am I concerned?

Yes, actually I am very concerned.

This is not my usual "happy" blog but, one that comes from my heart. I just feel the need to express a few concerns that I have.


With the way things are going in this present world, and especially over the last few weeks, how can I not be concerned?

The earthquake in Japan, followed by the Tsunami and then the Nuclear Reactor problems, has more then saturated my senses with a dense and dark sense of gloom and doom. Now, while sitting here in California, I am told not to worry about the minuscule amounts of radiation that currently is in the air I am breathing. A small amount today, tomorrow and next week seems to be much like filling a cup, a drop at a time.

My heart aches for those affected in Japan and across the world. I cannot begin to imagine the suffering they are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. The mere fact that I have uncontaminated food on my table, can flush a toilet after use or turn up the heat because I'm chilled, overwhelms me with feelings of sadness for the people suffering without these day to day necessities. My mind boggles that these are now luxuries to those that have lost everything. I can not imagine their suffering. 

As I watch the TV and read the news, we, as a nation are involved in bombing Libya along with the British and the French. The uprising in Yemen where people are killing their own countrymen leave me feeling that we are all doomed. I watch as it seems all the countries of the world, have began to take sides as they point fingers of accusations and fists of hatred towards each other. I have to wonder, are they using the media to fuel the fires of humanities destruction? 

Are we, the people of this beautiful planet we have named Earth, starting our own self-destruction? Or did it start long ago when we were just a few people, only to finally reached an explosive point much like that of a volcano? Will this be the end of humanity? I feel an emptiness in myself as I can only wonder.

I am sure my ancestors felt much the same way during World War 1 and World War 2, but at the same time cannot help feeling this is more threatening, more menacing and hostile then what we have done to others and ourselves in the past. How do we explain to our grandchildren the catastrophic casualties we are creating by our self-destructive decisions and behaviors for energy, oil, power, and wealth? How do I look my 8-year-old granddaughter in the eye and tell her that her future is tainted by nuclear fall-out from a power plant that is far across the ocean in a land she has probably never even heard about until last week. How do I not cry as I hold my newly born grandchild wondering if the air he is breathing has already planted trace amounts of cancer causing agents into his thyroid and lungs that will affect him many years down the road.  How do I face my children knowing that the decisions and actions of my generation may well be responsible for the demise of the earth as we know it?  Have we become so callus and cruel that we have forgotten how to care for each other?  What has happen to the human race?  When did life become expendable?

Where can I go to feel safe again? How do I get past the feelings of gloom and doom? The feelings of hopelessness that keep me awake at night and flood my mind in waking moments make me wonder if there will ever be peace in this world. When will I be able to enjoy life without these nagging demons reminding me of the turmoil in the world today?  Have we forgotten that life is fragile. All life! 

Here I am, 55 years old and I have never felt so besieged by feelings of vulnerability and helplessness. How do we continue in our day-to-day living, day to day working, following our usual routines and not feel the effects of what is happening?

Yes, I am concerned.

I am afraid. Not only for myself, but for those that I love. Not only for those I love, but also for those I've met on my journey in life.  I'm concerned for the complete stranger who is a thousand miles away from me.  I pray. I was taught by my parents to pray, especially when you are scared, worried or frightened, you pray. And right now, with the world in all it’s turmoil, it is the only thing I know to do.

2 comments:

  1. Dearest Jo and Paul,

    I, too, have had feelings that the compilation of recent events is "something different." Sometimes it seems our beloved Mother Earth and Her peoples are spiraling out of control. Our grandson is younger than your grand-daughter and I wonder what world he will have when he is my age.

    Worry and apprehension get me nowhere. I am a Warrior and refuse to spend time in the depths of those dark places.

    What I strive for are positive actions and outlooks. As a cancer survivor, I make every effort to live in the moment. "Right here, right now." For, after all, that is all any of us have. We have no guarantees of tomorrow, of tonight, of five minutes from now.

    Perhaps that is why I feel such a strong drive to reignite my Reiki practice. We need groovy, loving energy in our world more than ever these days.

    A smile to the elderly lady in the aisle with you in the grocery store, perhaps reaching an item on a top shelf for her that she cannot. Another smile to the working mother as she gathers a few items after work, kids in tow. Sometimes a wee bit goes a long way.

    Paying it forward.

    Perhaps us full-timers have a sense of needing to be somewhat self-sufficient. We are like turtles, our homes go with us, and we are able to move ourselves and loved ones out of harm's way if need be. Most of us could glean some sort of sustenance from the Earth through gardening, hunting and fishing. Many of us are equipped to protect our families if it comes down to that.

    There have always been conflicts and wars, dating back to the most ancient times. There has always been cruelty to adults, children and animals. Mother Earth Herself has gone through changes totally out of the control of mankind during Her lifetime.

    I like to believe that any sparks of goodwill, love, friendship and support we can give to our brothers and sisters will hopefully combine to keep the eternal flame of hope burning for our planet and all, humans and creatures, who share it.

    Peace, strength, love and light always,
    Betty

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  2. Thank you for the wonderful insights shared in your comment.

    I received a small gift that says "Breath Deeply" For me, it is a reminder to "live in the moment" and that is what I have been striving to do.

    I actually make it a habit to take notice of peoples name-tags where ever I am and address them by name when I thank them for their services. You wouldn't belive the wonderful reaction it creates!

    Thanks again,
    Jo

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